Peters co



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) v W. WEAVER.

SHUTTLE AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. No. 541,581. 'Pat ented June 25,1895.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.,

W. WEAVER.

SHUTTLE AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. No. 541,581. v Patented June 25',1895.

' (3 i I (VIA/H2430 n4: uorims PETERS co. PHOTO-LUNG, WASHINGTON. n c.

UNITED STATES A'IENT Curios.

WILLIAM WEAVER, OF NORWALK, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WEAVER JACQUARDAND ELECTRIC SHUTTLE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SHUTTLE -ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,581, dated June 25,1895.

A I Application filed May 29, 1894. Serial No. 512,877. (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern..- 1 Be it known that 1,-W1LLIAM WEAVER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Norwalk, in the county ofFairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements ,in Shuttle-Actuating Mechanism for Looms, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a shuttle mechan- Io ism for looms, and moreparticularly to a shuttle mechanism in which the shuttle is movedthrough the influence of electro-magnets to cause it to. reciprocate,and consists in the features of construction and arrangement of partsoperating in connection with the shuttle, as well as in the features ofconstruction and arrangement of the reeds, which are adapted toco-operate with the shuttle, in substantially the manner and for thepurposes more particularly hereinafter pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated oneembodiment of my invention, Figure l is a front View of so much of aloom as is necessary to illustrate and explain my invention. Fig. 2 is arear view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of thecircuit-controllers. Fig.4 is an end view, partly in section, on theline 4 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 0 5 5, Fig. 1.Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is adiagram view showing one arrangement of electrical circuits andconnections for carrying out my invention. Fig. 8 is a detail viewshowing 5 a side elevation of one of the reeds having a lateralextension, but without the projection. It is not deemed necessary to setforth the usual and common construction of looms, and the means adoptedfor throwing the shuttle, but it is well understood that in manyinstances, it is impracticable, to throw the shuttle in the ordinaryway, and many devices have been suggested by which the shuttle can bemoved between the threads forming the 45, shed, without injury to thethreads, or distortion or displacement thereof, and it is one of themain objects of my present invention to move the shuttle through theagency of electro-magnets, so that thereneed not be any positive ormechanical connection with the shuttle, and so that it may be movedposiand arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Therace-way of the loom is represented at A, and in this instance it formsa part of. an inclosure or frame A, in which is mounted what I will terma shuttle-carrier or mover B. The frame or inclosure may be providedwith buffers A at each end, which may be of any usual construction,adapted to take up the momentum of the shuttle-carrier or mover, and thebutters may be mounted or supported 7 on the frame of the loomin anydesired way. The shuttle-carrier B, may be made of any suitablematerial, preferably of insulating material, and is shown in the form ofa rectangular block or box, having mounted in its inte- 8o terior anelectro-magnet B, and while the shape and size of this magnet will varyaccording to circumstances, I'preferably make the pole-piece-Biof .anelongated shape, as best seenin Fig. 6, andproject it above the carrierthrough a slot A in the race-way, and i the upper surface of thepole-piece is preferably on a level with the top of the race-way. Whilethis magnet may be apermanent magnet, in the present instance I haveshown it as an electro-magnet, having a coil B surrounding the core, andconnected so as to be energized from the source of electricity S, whichmay be a battery,'mechanical generator, or other source. Thisshuttle-carrier is 5 arranged to be moved back and forth in the frame ina manner hereinafter pointed out, and I have shown a means whereby themagnet may be continuously energized, regardless of its position in theframe, and for this purpose I have arranged conductors C, C, on theframe beneath the carrier, which are con- Uri nected with the source ofsupply, and I provide contact-pieces h, b, on the carrier, which move incontact with the conductors, and in this instance I have shown thesecontact pieces or connectors in the form of rollers which move readilyover the conductors O, O, supporting the weight of the carrier, andavoiding friction, and at the same time conducting the electricity tothe coil B of the magnet, through the medium of suitable wires betweenthe terminals of the coil and the contact-pieces. From this arrangementit will be seen that no matter what the position of the shuttle-carrierin the race-way, its magnet will be fully energized, and it can be movedback and forth with the least friction.

In order to move the shuttle-carrier, I arrange a series of magnets orsolenoids and connect them to a source of electric energy and providesuitable circuit-controllers, whereby they may he energized in properorder to cause the carrier to move under the influence of magneticattraction, and while various forms-and arrangements of magnets can beused,' in the present instance I have shown a series of magnets D,supported in the frame A, and having their pole-pieces D", extendingthrough the lower plate or partition A of the frame A, so as to be in asclose proximity as practicable with the sh uttle-carrier, and thesemagnets are connected with the source of electricity S, by suitableconductors, as a conductor C having branches leading to one side of eachcoil of each magnet, while from the opposite side of each coil of eachmagnet there are conductors 0 C C 850., each terminating in acontact-piece c c 0 &c., and these contact-pieces are arranged at oneend of the frame and are shown in the form of springs, and the circuitsof the various magnets are controlled by a circuit-controller E. Thiscircnitcontroller may be of any desired and convenient form and size,according to the ret quirements of any particular case, and I have shownit in the present instance as consisting of a cylinder of conductingmaterial having mounted on its surface a series of projections e, 6, e ethe, they being arranged spirally around the surface, and preferablyoverlapping each other slightly, and are adapted to be brought incontact with the contact-pieces adjacent thereto, so as to close thecircuit through the magnets in proper order and preferably to close thecircuit through the next succeeding magnet, before the circuit is brokenin the next preceding magnet. This circuit-controlleris mounted to bedriven by any suitable mechanism, connected with the loom, and I haveindicated in the present instance a bevel gear F,ona shaft F, of thecircnit-controller, so that the controller may be operated in unisonwith the other parts of the loom.

The shaft F, of the circuit-controller is connected by a conductor (3,with one pole of the battery or other source of electricity, and it willbe seen that when any one of the projectionsa-is in contact with thecorresponding contact-piece, 0 for instance, the circuit is closedthrough one of the magnets D, and when the next succeeding projectioncomes in contact with its corresponding contactpiece, the circuit isclosed through the next succeeding magnet, before it is broken in thepreceding magnet, and so on successively.

As it is desirable to allow a certain dwell or time of rest for theshuttle-carrier, after it has completed one of its movements, in orderthat the lay and other parts of the loom may be operated in the usualmanner, I make the contacts a, and 6 which are at the ends of the seriesof contacts in the form of a segment of a circle, so that they willremain in contact with their respective contact-pieces throughout agreateror less portion of the rotation or movement of thecircuit-controller, thereby completing the circuit through therespective magnets included therein, and maintaining them in theirenergized condition, so that they will operate to hold theshuttle-carrier against displacement or jar in its extreme position.

Of course, it; will be understood that the projections on thecircuit-controller are arranged on the opposite sides, so that in thepresent instance the magnets D, will be energized in one series ororder, to move the shuttle-carrier in one direction, and in the reverseorder or series to move the shuttle-carrier in the opposite direction,allowing a sufficient dwell at the end of each movement.

Arranged adjacent to the race-way or frame are the swords G,.which arearranged tosu pport the reeds H, between which the warp threads may passin the usual way, and in order that the shuttle may not come in contactwith the warp threads in its passage through the shed, and in order thatthe threads may be held in proper relations on the race-way so that theywill not be twisted, worn or distorted by the passage of the shuttle, Iform the reeds so that they serve not only the usual purpose ofseparating the warp threads and beating up the weft thread, but alsoform a support or way 011 which the shuttle travels out of contact withthe threads. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 5, each reed consists of astraight portion it, having a lateral extension 72 which is adapted torest upon the top of the race-way and form a channel between theadjacent reeds for the threads. Sometimes I find it advantageous to forma projection 71 ,011 the end of the lateral extension h, to operate as aguide for the shuttle, although this is not absolutely necessary,especially when the shuttle is guided and controlled magnetically in themannerhereinafter set forth. These reeds are made in whole or in part ofmagnetic material, and I provide means whereby they may be separatelyenergized in order thatthey may aid in guiding, and to a certain extent,in propelling the shuttle, although it is to be understood that whenthey are not separately energized, they operate to a greater or lessextent in guiding the shuttle through magnetic induction.

In order that the reeds may operate in the manner set forth, I arrangethem in gangs or sets, and provide means whereby each gang or set may beseparately magnetized, and as indicated in Fig. 2, I connect the ends ofa series of reeds together magnetically in any suitable Way, as bybending their ends and extendingthem to form a core, as seen at I, orby. connecting them to a piece of magnetic material having a core, asseen at l, and I surround these cores with coils I and these arearranged to be successively energized in' a manner similar to the coilsof the magnets D, and preferably in the same order, so that theywillcooperate with the magnetsD in propelling the shuttle-carrier, and inorder to get the best effect, it is preferable to arrangethese coils sothat they practically intervene be: tween two successive coils of themagnets D, so that any one of the coils will exert its greats. est forceat a point between the cores of two of theadjacentmagnets D, and thiswill be readily seen by reference to-the'diagram,.F ig. 7. Thesecoilsare connected by a conductor C to the source of electric energy, and bybranches leading from this conductor to one terminal of each of thecoils, and the other terminals of the coils are connected in the presentinstance to the conductors C C C respectively,so that these latterconductors form a portion of the circuit of the coils of each set ofmagnets and thereby, but a single circuitcontroller is necessary tocontrol both sets 0 series of magnets.

The shuttle K, maybe of any desired shape, according to the bobbin orspool to be carried thereby, and is preferably provided with .friction-rollers k, and it is either made of magnetic material, or hasembedded in its body a mass of magnetic material, so that it willbeattra'cted by the shuttle-carrier, and when the reeds are energized inthe manner just described; by the sets or gangs ofreeds, and'in orderltoprevent friction between the side of the shuttle and the.reeds,Ipreferably provide one or: more friction rollers 73, in the side of theshuttle adjacent the reeds.

Understanding, that so farl have'described a typical construction andarrangement of parts,in order that the principles of my invention may beunderstood,I will .nowset, forth its mode of. operation, and it will beseen that the shuttle is supported on the lateral extensions of thereeds'and moves over their upper faces, the friction rollers aiding inpreventing friction, and the'extensions preventing the shuttle coming incontact with the threads between the adjacent reeds.

WVhen the lateral extension is provided with an upward extension If,this serves to prevent the shuttle being thrown or dislodged from itsproper path, but I. preferably make use of magnetic induction to holdthe shuttle to its path, and While this is aided to a greater or lessextent by the induction from the magnet.

' of the shuttle-carrier, by connectingthereeds I ingangs andenergizing'these gangs inadbe in the position indicated in dotted lines,

Fig.1, and the circuit-controller to be operated, it.will be seen thatthe elongated projection e, is in contact with the contact-piece c andthe circuit is closed through the first magnet D, and at the sametimethe circuit is closed through the first magnet 1 of the first gang. ofreeds, and as the-circuit-controlle-r moves, the contact 6', closesthecircuit with the contact-pieces, energizing the next succeedingmagnet D,andat the same time the .next succeeding magnet '1 and this throughthemagnetic attraction in these mag-.

nets, causes the shuttle-carrier to move for-.

wardin its way, and it will be understood that its magnet coils B areincluded in the circuit of the conductorsC C,[Whatever itsposition.Thus, as the circuit-controller continues its movement, the respectivemagnets of the se-v ries are energized in succession, and the shut-:tle-carrier moves forward to the end of the frame, and this through itsenergized magnet operating upon the shuttle, causes the shuttle totraverse theshed moving over the lateral projections of the reeds, andthe magnets 1 on their respective gangsof reeds tend to hold it inproper position as well as to aidin'its progressive movement. When ithas reached the extent of its movement in onedirection through theelongated contact 6 the shuttle is. held in position until the necessaryoperations are completed. and then it is caused to travel back again to.its original position, through a reversal of the order of energizingthe magnets, and so on continuously.

It willthus be seen that the shuttle is moved positively undertheinfluence of magneticinduction and guided so that it moves accurately Vand in a proper course, and at thesametime it is out of. contact withthethreads of warp, and cando them no injury, and that thereispractically no limit to the length through which the shuttle-carrier andshuttle may be moved at a uniform and positive speed.

It will be understood that the reeds may be used inconnection withshuttles moved otherwise. than by magnetic induction, and that they willperform their. functions to a greater or less extent in this connection,butthey are speciallyadaptcd to co-operate, with a shuttle movedsubstantially. as shown herein, and they enable the device to be used inthe manufacture of the most delicate fabrics, regardless of their width.

It is also understood that the shuttle-carrier may be mechanicallypropelled, instead of electrically, and still many of the advantages ofmy invention be attained.

WhatI claim is- 1. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having anelectro-magnet, of electrical connections for energizing the magnet inall positions of the carrier, electro-magnetic devices for moving theshuttle-carrier, and a magnetic shuttle moved by the shuttle-carrier,substantially as described.

2. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having an electro-magnet, ofelectrical connections for energizing the electro-magnet of theshuttle-carrier in all positions of the carrier, electromagnetic devicesfor moving the carrier, and a magnetic shuttle moved by the carrier,substantially as described.

3. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having an electro-magnet,ofelectric conductors connected with a source of electrical supply and onwhich the shuttle-carrier moves, and connections between the conductorsand the magnet for energizing the same at all positions of its movement,substantially as described.

4. The combination with a race-way having a slot, of a shuttle-carrierhaving a magnet the-pole of which projects into the slotin the race-way,and means for moving the carrier, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a frame or raceway, of a shuttle-carrier havinga magnet, a series of electro magnets arranged along the race-way,electrical connections for the magnets, and a circuit-controller forenergizing the magnets in regular order to propel the shuttlecarrier,substantially as described.

6. The combination with the frame or raceway of a loom, of a carrierhaving a magnet, a series of electromagnets arranged along the race-way,electrical connections for the magnets, a circuit-controller operatingin unison with the moving parts of the loom and constructed and arrangedto close the circuits of the various magnets in regular succession topropel the carrier, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the frame or raceway of a loom, of ashuttle-carrier having a magnet, a series of electro-magnets arrangedalong the race-way and electrical connections therefor, and acircuit-controller provided with contact-pieces for closing the circuitsof the respective magnets, the contact-pieces for closing the circuitsof some of the magnets being elongated to produce a dwell, substantiallyas described. i

8. A reed for looms having a lateral extension integral therewithadapted to rest upon the top of the race-way and to form a channelbetween the adjacent reeds for the threads, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a race-way, of a reed having alateral extensionintegral therewith extending over the race-way, substantially asdescribed.

10. The combination with the race-Way, of a reed having a lateralextension integral therewith extending over-the race-way, a sh utlemoving over the extension, and means for moving the shuttle,substantially as described.

11. The combination with the race-way, of a series of reeds havinglateral projections extending over the race-way, a magnetic shuttlemounted on and moving over the lateral projections, a sh uttle-carrier,amagnet mounted on the shuttle-carrier, and means for moving theshuttle-carrier, substantially as de scribed.

12. In a loom, a series of metallic reeds having their ends magneticallyconnected in gangs and provided with coils, substantially as described.

13. In a loom, a series of reeds having their ends magneticallyconnected in gangs, coils connected to each gang, electric connectionswith the coils, and means for controlling the circuits through thecoils, substantially as described.

14. The combination with the frame or raceway, of a series of reedshaving lateral extensions, means for magnetizing the reeds, a shuttlehaving magnetic material, and means for moving the shuttle,substantially as described.

15. The combination with the frame, of a series of reeds having lateralextensions, means for magnetizing the reeds, a shuttle having magneticmaterial moving over the reeds, a shuttle-carrier having amagnet,electro-magnetic devices for moving the shuttle-carrier, and acircuit-controller controlling the circuits of the magnets and of thereeds, sub stantially as described.

16. The combination with the frame or raceway, of the reeds and meansfor rendering the reeds magnetic, a magnetic shuttle, a shuttlecarrierhaving a magnet, and means for moving the shuttle-carrier, substantiallyas described.

17. The combination with the frame or raceway, of reeds having lateralextensions, magnets connected with the reeds, a magnetic shuttle, ashuttle-carrier having a magnet, electric connections for energizing themagnet in all positions of the carrier, a series of magnets for movingthe shuttle-carrier, and a circuit-controller controlling the circuitsof the magnets and of the reeds, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to'this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VM. WVEAVER.

WVitnesses:

F. L. FREEMAN, C. S. DRURY.

